NHL Power Rankings: A New Team Flies to the Top


Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA Today Sports

  Mmm, I’m just eating a delicious bowl of my words right now. Why? Because I said this time last week that I would be very surprised if a team other than the Chicago Blackhawks made it to the top of the NHL.com power rankings this time, uh, today. But actually, that’s exactly what has [...]

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NHL Power Rankings: No Shock for the Chicago Blackhawks


Chicago Blackhawks NHL

It sounds like the same song and dance at the top of the NHL‘s power rankings every Monday, but that’s just because the teams in the top places are just that good. The Chicago Blackhawks are, of course, in first place–their point streak is so notable that it even received a mention in the most [...]

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NHL Power Rankings: Los Angeles Kings Make a Big Jump


Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

To the surprise of absolutely no one, the Chicago Blackhawks topped NHL.com’s newest power rankings list, released today. With that new NHL record under their belts, a 15-0-3 to their names and players who could be in the running for multiple awards (Patrick Kane for the Hart Trophy and Corey Crawford for the Vezina Trophy), [...]

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NHL Power Rankings: Once Again, Chicago Blackhawks On Top


Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

If you are in any way shocked to hear that NHL.com has placed the Chicago Blackhawks atop the Super 16 power rankings for the fourth week in a row, then I have some beachfront property in Arizona to sell you. Still sitting pretty at first in the Western Conference, the Blackhawks have a 12-0-3 record [...]

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The Calder Trophy Race: Early Season Candidates


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Who Are The Early Favorites?

Calder Favorites
Jean-Yves Ahern-US Presswire

Each new season fans look forward to the new exciting talents entering the league and hoping to get a glimpse of future superstars when they make their NHL debuts.

The 2013 season is just past the quarter mark, and in what is becoming an annual trend, there is a number of fresh faced rookies making significant impacts across the league.

Last season, now Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog won the Calder Trophy, narrowly edging out Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and New Jersey’s Adam Henrique. This year there is again no shortage of deserving candidates for the award.

There are high end draft draft picks, an undrafted gem and everything in between. It’s still early in the season, but some players are starting to distance themselves from the pack in this year’s freshman class.

Here’s a look at the top 10 candidates in the early going.

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10. Brendan Gallagher, Montreal Canadiens

Gallagher
Kevin Hoffman-US Presswire
The diminutive Gallagher plays with plenty of energy and is off to a good start. He plays slightly less than the others on this list but if he continues to produce he'll move up quickly.

Stat line: 12GP 4G 2A +5 11:04TOI

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9. Dougie Hamilton, Boston Bruins

Hamilton
Kevin Hoffman-US Presswire
The rangy defenceman has come in and looked like he's belonged from day one. He's been getting the chances and finally got his first goal this week.

Stat line: 12 GP 1G 5A -3 18:48TOI

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8. Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild

Granlund
Bruce Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
A pre-season Calder favorite he was expected to slide into the second line centre role to start the season and run with it, but he has struggled early on. He will continue to get his opportunities and could break out soon.

Stat line: 13GP 1G 4A -3 15:08TOI

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7. Marcus Foligno, Buffalo Sabres

Foligno
Timothy Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Foligno has been good for the Sabres and provides a physical presence on a team with a small group of forwards. He also has 19 PIM to start the year.

Stat line: 15GP 1G 7A -4 16:45TOI

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6. Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens

Galchenyuk
Jean-Yves Ahern-US Presswire
Just one goal on the season but Galcheyuk has been one of the Habs more dangerous forwards this season. He also leads all rookies with a +7.

Stat line: 13GP 1G 7A +7 12:02TOI

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5. Nail Yakupov, Edmonton Oilers

Yakupov
Anne-Marie Sorvin-US Presswire
Yakupov has shown signs of being the dynamic first overall pick everyone was waiting to see. He already has shown a penchant for big time goals.

Stat line: 13GP 5G 3A -7 14:45TOI

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4. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers

Huberdeau
Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Another pre-season Calder favourite, Huberdeau started off hot but has cooled a little. He is still getting plenty of chances and has shown he's belonged in the Panthers top six.

Stat line: 13GP 5G 3A E 15:36TOI

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3. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues

Tarasenko
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The rookie leader in goals with six, Tarasenko has been a perfect fit in the Blues lineup and has made an already deep forward group that much deeper.

Stat line: 14GP 6G 5A -2 14:27TOI

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2. Justin Schultz, Edmonton Oilers

Schultz
Anne-Marie Sorvin-US Presswire
Schultz has been as advertised and then some. He leads all rookies in ice time and rookie defenceman in scoring. He runs one of the league's top power plays and his maturity and poise with the puck belies his age.

Stat line: 13GP 4G 3A -2 22:11TOI

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1. Cory Conacher, Tampa Bay Lightning

Conacher
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Martin St. Louis protege has come out of the gate quick. The rookie leader in points was an undrafted free agent who already has an impressive resume with an AHL MVP award and a Calder Cup with the Norfolk Admirals.

Stat line: 13GP 5G 7A +2 15:18TOI

Cory Conacher Tampa Bay Lightning

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NHL Power Rankings Week 4: Some Surprises, Some Constants


Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Like clockwork, every Monday afternoon brings a new crop of Super 16 power rankings from NHL.com. There’s been a whole month of rankings now and some things have remained consistent throughout the first four weeks. The Boston Bruins have never been outside the top three and the Chicago Blackhawks have a three-week first place streak [...]

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Anaheim Ducks Make a Big Jump in NHL Power Rankings


Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

It’s about time the NHL.com weekly Super 16 Power Rankings got clued in to the fact that the Anaheim Ducks are doing very well right now. I’ve written before about how the Ducks are like the forgotten Western Conference superpower, lost among the other strong teams coming out of time zones that aren’t Eastern. This [...]

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Road Wins, Second Half Endurance Keep Chicago Blackhawks on Top of NHL Power Rankings


Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re wondering if the Chicago Blackhawks are the real thing, just look at the NHL power rankings this week. For the second week in a row, they’re sitting on top of the world. Their road wins are credited as part of their success. This is a huge turnaround from last season, when they struggled [...]

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NHL Power Rankings Look Like Deja Vu, But It’s a New Week


Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The third week of NHL.com’s weekly Power Rankings may look like a little case of deja vu not long after Groundhog Day, but don’t worry, you’re not reliving last week all over again. The Chicago Blackhawks are still the first-ranked team, the San Jose Sharks are still the second-ranked team, and the Boston Bruins are [...]

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NHL 2013 Power Rankings: Chicago Blackhawks Top The List


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NHL Power Rankings

kane
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

While fans of the NHL have been thrilled to see the game they love return, they should also realize that it goes by faster than you think.

Especially during a shortened, 48-game season.

We are approximately one week through the 2013 campaign and fans have a general idea of what their team is looking like through a handful of games. There are teams such as the Blackhawks and Blues, who appear to be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. Then there are the Maple Leafs and the Blue Jackets who are, well, themselves. Hey, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all, right?

A few storylines have taken the league by storm. Can Patrick Marleau continue his red hot start? Are the Ducks and Lightning legit? Though short, this NHL season will be incredibly exciting. Heck, it already has been.

Anyway, it may be early, but I thought now would be an ideal time to share my power rankings through a week of action on the ice. There are a handful of significant surprises surrounding this list, including teams that should be cup contenders but aren’t nearly meeting expectations. So, without further ado, enjoy my very first power rankings of this short hockey campaign. If you disagree, that’s great. Feel free to comment your own thoughts down below. Enjoy the rankings as well as the rest of the action-packed season.

Adam Pfeifer is an NHL and Fantasy contributor for Rant Sports.

You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.

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30) Florida Panthers

panthers
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Kris Vertseeg, Stephen Weiss, Sean Bergenheim. All injured. Still, this team has looked downright awful, ranking dead last in goals scored per game. At least rookie Jonathan Huberdeau has looked impressive, right?

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29) Calgary Flames

flames
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Balance is an issue for this team, as only five players have scored a goal this season. Roster has little to no upside. Poor Jarome Iginla.

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28) Columbus Blue Jackets

jackets
Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

They still aren't very good, but Columbus seems to be playing with more intensity this year. They also gave the Blackhawks and Red Wings a run for their money. Sergei Bobrovsky is playing well in net but their ability to score goals (just 1.60 per contest) is disheartening.

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27) Phoenix Coyotes

coyotes
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Yotes have allowed a ridiculous 20 goals in just five contests. Their only two points of the season came against the Blue Jackets so ... there ya go.

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26) Washington Capitals

caps
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Finally! The Caps got their first win of the season on Sunday night but still have issues. Alexander Ovechkin scored his first goal of the year and will continue to get better. But will he get help? Joel Ward has played well thus far, but it is hard to believe he will keep it up. Not to mention the Capitals defense has some question marks, allowing almost four goals per game.

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25) Toronto Maple Leafs

leafs
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Just when you think they are about to get something going, you remember something. It's the Leafs! They have surrendered 12 goals over the last two games. And will Phil Kessel ever light the lamp?

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24) Buffalo Sabres

sabres
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Can anyone on this offense outside of Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville contribute? It also appears that fatigue has settled into the Sabres over these past three games.

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23) Colorado Avalanche

avs
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Surprisingly, the Avalanche have the best goal differential in their division. But with the loss of Steve Downie for the year (torn ACL), the fight between the team and reigning leading scorer Ryan O'Reilly and the recent injury to captain Gabriel Landeskog, there are just too many question marks.

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22) Edmonton Oilers

oils
Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Are the Oilers fun to watch? No question. However, they are too inconsistent. They win won, lose one. Young offensive talent can be found all over the ice, but defense is still a concern.

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21) Nashville Predators

preds
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Pred's record could be much better than it currently is if they hadn't lost in three shootouts already. Pekka Rinne is doing all that he can, but with 10 goals scored in five games as a team, the offensive consistency is a concern.

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20) Carolina Hurricanes

canes
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Taking both games of a home-and-home against the Sabres got the Hurricanes back on track. Until Cam Ward plays like he is capable of, this is nothing more than a bubble team.

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19) Philadelphia Flyers

flyers
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

You can't play the Panthers every night, sadly. The Flyers should be a contender, but injuries continue to kill this team as well as a lack of executing on special teams. The good news? Once again, goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is not to blame, so don't even think about it, Flyers fans.

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18) New York Islanders

isles
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

I have said it for months now, but this team is a few pieces away from taking that next step. Led by emerging star John Tavares, this group is fun to watch but must execute closing out games.

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17) Dallas Stars

stars
Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

The return of Jamie Benn to the lineup is monumental to a team with a handful of offensive threats. This team could surprise some people out West, assuming they stay healthy.

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16) Detroit Red Wings

wings
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After being spanked by the Blues on opening night, it appears the Wings have found their groove. They defeated the Wild this weekend, as well as picking up a tough point against the Blackhawks.

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15) Los Angeles Kings

kings
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The defending Stanley Cup champs look nothing like it but the return of Anze Kopitar will spark the team immensely. Dustin Brown must also play like more of himself if this team has any chance of repeating.

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14) Winnipeg Jets

jets
Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

I love this team. I really do. One of the loudest and toughest crowds for opposing teams to play against. Evander Kane is looking like a legitimate scorer and this team has an awful lot of resiliency.

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13) Vancouver Canucks

canucks
Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Sedin twins are, well, the Sedin twins. They will continue to score points at will. However, the goaltending issue remains to be a constant headache and this team misses Ryan Kesler ... badly.

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12) Anaheim Ducks

ducks
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

They may be averaging the sixth-most goals per game, but are also allowing the fourth-most as well. Defense wins championships, my friends. Sure they will continue to score goals with a plethora of offensive weapons at the helm, but can they stop them. I think not. But hey, if Daniel Winnik continues to light the lamp, maybe this team can contend.

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11) Montreal Canadiens

habs
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

What happened to last season? The Habs are playing tremendous team hockey right now. Only one player on their team is a minus (Lars Eller). Defenseman Andrei Markov looks like a top tier defenseman and the team has won three games out of five. Don't forget. This is all without P.K. Subban.

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10) New York Rangers

rangers
Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the unfortunate slow start, the Rangers are still a scary team in the league. Behind Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik and Rick Nash, the goals will certainly come. And it also helps when you have the best goaltender in the planet stopping shots. New York will right this ship in a hurry.

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9) Minnesota Wild

wild
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Parise has made an immediate impact for this club, already posting nine points through five games. Their powerplay is suddenly one of the most dangerous in all of hockey. However, Ryan Suter still needs to prove he was worth that off-season money.

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8) New Jersey Devils

devils
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

They are allowing a third-best 1.75 goals per game and Martin Brodeur appears to still have a lot left in the tank. And oh by the way, Ilya Kovalchuk is pretty darn good.

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7) Tampa Bay Lightning

bolts
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

I'm not 100 percent sold that they are a top-ten team, but as of right now, you can't argue. They have the most explosive offense in the league, averaging a top-ranked 4.80 goals per contest. Not only do they have the obvious offensive weapons, but rookie Cory Conacher looks like a legitimate Calder Trophy contender.

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6) Ottawa Senators

sens
Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Craig Anderson is quietly playing outstanding between the pipes, with a ridiculous 0.74 GAA and a .975 SV%. Not to mention, Kyle Turris has scored four goals in five games, and looks like an All Star.

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5) Pittsburgh Penguins

pens
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Sure they lost to Toronto and Winnipeg (better than people think) but the Penguins are still one of the biggest threats. They have Sidney Crosby. They have Evgeni Malkin. But more importantly, goaltender Marc-Andre Fluery is silencing the doubters, which is crucial to their success.

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4) Boston Bruins

chara
Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports

In my eyes, Boston is without a doubt the best team in the Eastern Conference. The loss of Tim Thomas means nothing, as Tuukka Rask is holding his own. With the same core for years and an emerging superstar in Tyler Seguin, Boston could be the team to beat in the East.

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3) St. Louis Blues

blues
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

The west is dominating! St. Louis was my Stanley Cup pick before the season started and I'm sticking by it. A two-headed dragon between the pipes, a rookie scoring machine in Vladimir Tarasenko and a terrific defense only allowing 17 shots per game is extremely promising.

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2) San Jose Sharks

sharks
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the surprise team of the year so far, San Jose is certainly for real. It's early, but Patrick Marleau is the league MVP right now and Anti Niemi is quietly playing superb in net (2.01 GAA, .933 SV %). Veteran leadership and a deep roster makes for a dangerous hockey club.

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1) Chicago Blackhawks

hawks
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into this season, people believed that this team was good. Maybe somewhere between the five and eight seeds. But boy, has Chicago taken the NHL by storm so far? The team has started 6-0-0, which is the best in franchise history. With weapons all over the ice in Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa, as well as a goaltending issue that may be resolved, watch out.

Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

                     

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